Ethical conduct
Gordius-Nosster Partnership – Eszter Tóth
The association’s financial management is audited by its general meeting, on the basis of the annual report submitted by the elected officers and the accountant, as part of the annual statutory general meeting.
Donors may inspect the organisation’s official documents (with the exception of documents containing personal data or those which, for other reasons, are not publicly accessible) by prior appointment. Appointments can be made by calling 06308309840 on weekdays between 9 am and 4 pm, or by email at elmenytartanoda@gmail.com.
Access to official documents in accordance with the GDPR is possible as follows:
Documents arising in connection with the association’s public-benefit activities – with the exception of information which is not publicly available under the law – are public; anyone may inspect them and make copies at their own expense. Requests to inspect or copy documents must be submitted in writing, addressed to the association’s executive committee. The executive committee is obliged to allow the applicant to inspect the documents and to provide copies thereof at the association’s registered office within 8 days of the request being made. [Section 37(3)(c) of the Ectv.]
Should we detect any irregularities, we will take immediate steps to rectify them.
By joining the Self-Regulatory Body for Charitable Organisations, we have accepted the body’s rules and regard them as binding upon ourselves code of ethics.
ANNOUNCEMENT
Warning regarding a series of online scams
The civil society organisations concerned are not involved in this abuse!
The Self-Regulatory Body of Fundraising Organisations (ASZÖT) hereby wishes to draw the public’s attention to an ongoing series of online scams disguised as investment offers, which, regrettably, have affected several civil society organisations in Hungary.
The essence of the scam is that unknown perpetrators use fraudulent messages – often referring to artificial intelligence, quick returns or a „one-off investment opportunity” – to persuade people to transfer money, on multiple occasions in succession. In the first stage of the scam, the fraudsters request that the money be paid into the bank accounts of genuine, well-known charitable organisations, but under a misleading name: the victims send the money in the belief that their transfer is going to an investment fund.
According to the available information, the aim of the method is not to obtain these details, but rather to extract confidential financial data from the victims during the „investment process”, or to gain access that they can subsequently use to cause actual financial loss to those affected.
To organisations, these transfers appear to be donations, as it is a natural part of the civil sector’s operations to receive support from private individuals without any prior contact. For this reason, it is particularly difficult to determine whether the money in question is a genuine donation or the result of fraud.
It is important to emphasise that the civil society organisations concerned have no connection with the fraud, did not initiate such enquiries, and became involved in the matter against their will.
The organisations concerned are:
- in all suspicious cases, they cooperate with the authorities and the account-holding banks,
- where a claim is made and the claimant can be identified, the amount received will be refunded to the parties concerned into the same account from which the transfer originated, provided that either the report is forwarded to the organisation or the victim initiates a reversal of the transfer at their own bank,
- they have made the necessary reports and are liaising with the investigating authorities,
- They have strengthened the security of their own systems.
Unfortunately, fraud poses a significant reputational risk to the civil sector, which is why it is particularly important to provide accurate information: these cases are economic crimes of which civil society organisations are not the perpetrators, but the victims.
What are we asking the public to do?
- Be particularly wary of „quick investment” offers you receive over the phone, on social media or in adverts.
- Do not transfer money under pressure or without checking the details first.
- Check that the bank account number provided by the company does indeed belong to that company: compare the transfer details with the company’s publicly available information (e.g. ceginfo.hu).
- If you suspect any wrongdoing, contact your bank immediately and report it to the authorities.
An important message for donors
The cases described above do not relate to donations made in good faith, but are linked to a fraudulent scheme disguised as an investment.
Grants paid in error did not adversely affect the clients of civil society organisations, The core activities of charitable organisations and foundations have not been affected in any way and continue uninterrupted.
Civil society organisations continue to raise funds in a transparent and verifiable manner, and donations from the public remain indispensable to their social work.
In the cases that have come to light, the fraudsters misled people with offers disguised as investment opportunities, rather than encouraging them to make donations. Therefore, If someone receives a request for donations from a charity they know and trust, they can continue to respond with confidence and provide financial support for causes that are important to them.
Operated by ASZÖT Ethical Fundraising Organisation Accreditationit specifically guarantees that organisations bearing the trademark:
- they collect funds for a publicly stated purpose,
- the donations are used in a transparent manner,
- adhere to the professional and ethical standards of transparent and fair fundraising.
The power of collaboration helped shed light on the phenomenon
The members of the Self-Regulatory Body for Fundraising Organisations maintain ongoing professional contact with one another and share their experiences. It is this cooperation that has enabled us to identify the issue at a systemic level and to take joint action to prevent harm.
The Self-Regulatory Body for Charities strongly condemns such abuses and supports the work of the authorities with every means at its disposal.
We ask the public to remain cautious about online financial offers, whilst continuing to support, with confidence, the work of civil society organisations that serve genuine social causes.
Press enquiries:
Self-Regulatory Body for Charities
Balázs Cseh
spokesperson
cseh.balazs@civiliranytu.hu
+36-20-468-9593
